Display Device

ABSTRACT

A display device in which the current load of wirings are distributed and display variations due to voltage drop are suppressed. An active matrix display device of the invention comprises a first current input terminal, a second current input terminal, and a plurality of current supply lines extending parallel to each other. Each current supply line is connected to a plurality of driving transistors in a line. One end of each current supply line is connected to the first current input terminal via a first wiring intersecting with the current supply lines, and the other end thereof is connected to the second current input terminal via a second wiring intersecting with the current supply lines. Accordingly, a current is supplied to each current supply line from both the first and the second current input terminals. The first and the second current input terminals are provided separately from each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an active matrix display device, andmore particularly, relates to a wiring structure of an active matrixdisplay device comprising a light emitting element.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a large sized electro luminescence (abbreviated as ELhereinafter) display device has been developed with a view to entry intothe television market.

As the length of a wiring is increased with enlargement of a displaydevice, voltage drop occurs. The voltage drop becomes a problemparticularly in a current supply line for supplying a current to a lightemitting element.

This is because the voltage drop causes display variations since avoltage applied to an EL element varies among each region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a display device in which display variations dueto voltage drop are suppressed by distributing the current load ofwirings.

A display device of the invention is an active matrix display devicecomprising a first current input terminal, a second current inputterminal and a plurality of current supply lines which extend parallelto each other. Each of the current supply lines is connected to aplurality of driving transistors arranged in a line. One end of each ofthe current supply lines is connected to the first current inputterminal via a first wiring which extends in a direction intersectingwith the current supply lines. The other end of each of the currentsupply lines is connected to the second current input terminal via asecond wiring which extends in a direction intersecting with the currentsupply lines. Accordingly, a current is supplied to each of the currentsupply lines from both the first current input terminal and the secondcurrent input terminal. It is to be noted that the first current inputterminal and the second current terminal are provided separately fromeach other.

The current supply line in this specification is a wiring connected to atransistor (driving transistor) for supplying a current to a lightemitting element in a light emitting display device in particular.Current supply to the light emitting element from the current supplyline is controlled by turning the driving transistor ON or OFF.

Note that, the first wiring may be connected to a plurality of the firstcurrent input terminals. Similarly, the second wiring may be connectedto a plurality of the second current input terminals.

According to the display device having the aforementioned structure, thecurrent load can be distributed to a node between the first wiring and awiring directly connected to the first current input terminal and to anode between the second wiring and a wiring directly connected to thesecond current input terminal, thereby suppressing voltage drop at thecurrent supply lines.

A display device of the invention is an active matrix display devicecomprising a plurality of current supply lines which extend parallel toeach other and a plurality wirings which extend in a directionintersecting with the current supply lines. The current supply lines areelectrically connected to the wirings at each intersection of thecurrent supply lines and the wirings. It is to be noted that the currentsupply lines and the wirings are formed on different layers with aninsulating layer interposed therebetween. Further, a connecting portionprovided in the insulating layer allows the current supply lines to beelectrically connected to the wirings.

According to the display device having the aforementioned structure, acurrent can be supplied to each light emitting element via a pluralityof current paths, thereby distributing the current load. As a result,voltage drop at a current supply line can be suppressed.

In the case of a display device comprising a plurality of light emittingelements which emit different color light, the aforementioned structuremay be adopted for each group of current supply lines which supply acurrent to light emitting elements emitting the same color light.

Drop in voltage can be suppressed in such a manner, and thus a displaydevice in which display variations due to voltage drop are suppressedcan be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a pixel portion of a display deviceaccording to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a pixel portion of the displaydevice according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a pixel portion of the displaydevice according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display device using the invention.

FIGS. 9A to 9F are views showing electronic apparatuses using theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiment Mode 1

An embodiment mode of the invention is described with reference to FIGS.1A and 1B.

FIG. 1A is a pattern diagram showing current supply lines which are ledout, among a plurality of wirings provided in the active matrix displaydevice of the invention.

A pixel portion 71 formed on a substrate 70 comprises a plurality ofpixels each having a switching transistor 82, a driving transistor 83and a light emitting element 84 as shown in FIG. 1B. Further, referencenumeral 81 denotes a source line and 76 denotes a current supply line inFIG. 1B. It is assumed in this embodiment mode that the light emittingelement 84 in each pixel emits the same color light.

A plurality of current supply lines 76 a to 76 i provided on thesubstrate 70 extend in one direction and parallel to each other. Thecurrent supply lines 76 a to 76 i are connected to a wiring 85 whichextends substantially perpendicular to the current supply lines 76 a to76 i, and connected to a first current input terminal 72 or 74 via anode 77 or 79 which is provided at the ends of the wiring 85. It is tobe noted that the first current input terminals 72 and 74 are providedseparately from each other.

The opposite ends of the current supply lines 76 a to 76 i connected tothe wiring 85 are connected to a wiring 86 which extends substantiallyperpendicular to the current supply lines 76 a to 76 i, and connected toa second current input terminal 73 or 75 via a node 78 or 80 which isprovided at the ends of the wiring 86. It is to be noted that the secondcurrent input terminals 73 and 75 are provided separately from eachother.

In the display device having the aforementioned structure, an electricalsignal is transmitted to each of the current supply lines 76 a to 76 ifrom the first current input terminals 72 and 74 and the second currentinput terminals 73 and 75 which are provided separately from each other.

In such a manner, a current is inputted to a current supply line fromfirst and second current input terminals provided separately. Accordingto this, the current load of the nodes 77 and 79 are distributed to thenodes 78 and 80, and significant voltage drop can thus be prevented fromoccurring locally.

Although the display device of monochrome light emission is shown inthis embodiment mode, the invention may be applied to a display deviceof three color emission of RGB. In the latter case, the structure shownin this embodiment mode may be adopted for each color emission. Further,a circuit configuration of the pixel portion for driving the lightemitting element is not especially limited.

Embodiment Mode 2

An embodiment mode of the invention is described with reference to FIGS.2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is a pattern diagram showing current supply lines which are ledout, among a plurality of wirings provided in the active matrix displaydevice of the invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuitconfiguration of the pixel portion of the display device shown in FIG.2.

In FIG. 2, a pixel portion 11 formed on a substrate 10 comprises currentsupply lines 12 a to 12 i arranged in columns. Wirings 13 a to 13 f arearranged so as to intersect with the current supply lines 12 a to 12 iarranged in columns, and the wirings 13 a to 13 f are connected to thecurrent supply lines 12 a to 12 i at intersections of the wirings 13 ato 13 f and the current supply lines 12 a to 12 i. Further, the currentsupply lines 12 a to 12 i are connected to current input terminals 14.

In FIG. 3, the pixel portion 11 of the display device comprises aplurality of current supply lines 90 a to 90 i arranged in alongitudinal direction and a plurality of wirings 91 a to 91 c arrangedin a lateral direction. An area surrounded by two longitudinallyadjacent current supply lines and two laterally adjacent wiringscorresponds to one pixel.

A pixel 92 comprises a switching transistor, a driving transistor and alight emitting element. The driving transistor provided in each pixel isconnected to each of the current supply lines 90 a to 90 i. It is to benoted that all the light emitting elements emit the same color light inthis embodiment mode.

Via the wirings 91 a to 91 c which extend substantially perpendicular tothe current supply lines 90 a to 90 i, each of the current supply lines90 a to 90 i is electrically connected to the adjacent current supplyline, for example, such that the current supply lines 90 a and 90 b areconnected to each other, the current supply lines 90 b and 90 c areconnected each other, and the like.

As set forth above, the current supply lines are electrically connectedto each other both in the longitudinal and the lateral directions perpixel. Therefore, the number of current paths is increased to distributethe current load, which prevents significant voltage drop from occurringlocally.

Although the display device of monochrome light emission is shown inthis embodiment mode, the invention may be applied to a display deviceof three color emission of RGB. In the latter case, the structure shownin this embodiment mode may be adopted for each color emission. Further,a circuit configuration of the pixel portion for driving the lightemitting element is not especially limited.

The circuit configuration shown in this embodiment mode can beimplemented in combination with that shown in Embodiment Mode 1 in orderto still suppress the current load.

EMBODIMENT Embodiment 1

A display device using the invention is described with reference toFIGS. 4 to 7. Note that, the display device shown in this embodimentadopts the structures described in both Embodiment Modes 1 and 2. FIG. 7is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a pixel portion of thedisplay device according to this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing a part of a pixel portion of thedisplay device according to the invention. FIG. 5 is a cross sectionalview taken by cutting along a line A-A′ of FIG. 4, whereas FIG. 6 is across sectional view taken by cutting along a line B-B′ of FIG. 4.

A display device of this embodiment comprises a plurality of pixelsusing as a unit light emitting elements each of which emits red, greenor blue light. Each of the pixels comprises a driving transistor 22 fordriving the light emitting element, a switching transistor 20, anerasing transistor 21, a current supply line 28, source lines 25 a and25 b, a first scan line (erasing line) 23, and a second scan line (gateline) 24. In the display device, the pixels are arranged in matrix.

Electrodes 30 and 61 (61 a and 61 b) of a light emitting element areelectrodes of a light emitting element which emits red light, electrodes31 and 62 (62 a and 62 b) of a light emitting element are electrodes ofa light emitting element which emits green light, and electrodes 32 and63 (63 a and 63 b) of a light emitting element are electrodes of a lightemitting element which emits blue light. An electrode 69 of a lightemitting element is provided so as to face the electrodes 61, 62 and 63of the light emitting elements with light emitting layers 66, 67 and 68respectively interposed therebetween.

The light emitting element which emits red light is connected to acurrent supply line 28 via the driving transistor 22 b, the lightemitting element which emits green light is connected to a currentsupply line 29 via the driving transistor 22 c, and the light emittingelement which emits blue light is connected to current supply lines 60 aand 60 b via the driving transistor 22 a and 22 d, respectively. Thecurrent supply lines 28, 29, 60 a, and 60 b extend parallel to eachother. The current supply lines 60 a and 60 b are provided in differentpixels and electrically connected to each other via third wirings 57 (57a and 57 b). It is to be noted that the current supply lines 60 a and 60b, and the third wirings 57 (57 a and 57 b) are formed on differentlayers with first interlayer insulating layers 58 and 59 interposedtherebetween, and electrically connected to each other via a connectingportion provided in the first interlayer insulating layers 58 and 59.

Via first wirings 55 (55 a and 55 b), the current supply line 28 iselectrically connected to a current supply line which is included in apixel unit laterally adjacent to a pixel unit including the currentsupply line 28 and which is connected to the light emitting elementemitting red light via the driving transistor. Similarly, via secondwirings 56 (56 a and 56 b), the current supply line 29 is electricallyconnected to a current supply line which is included in a pixel unitlaterally adjacent to a pixel unit including the current supply line 29and which is connected to the light emitting element emitting greenlight via the driving transistor.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a substrate, 52 denotes a semiconductorlayer, 25 a, 25 b, 26, and 27 denote source lines, 23 denotes a firstscan line, 24 denotes a second scan line, 53 denotes a gate insulatinglayer, and 64 and 65 denote banks.

In FIG. 7, current supply lines 101 a to 101 c, 102 a to 102 c and 103 ato 103 c intersect with wirings 110 a to 110 c, 111 a to 111 c and 112 ato 112 c. The current supply lines 101 a to 101 c are electricallyconnected to the wirings 110 a to 110 c, and 102 a to 102 c areelectrically connected to 111 a to 111 c, further, 103 a to 103 c areelectrically connected to 112 a to 112 c. Reference numerals 120 a to120 c denote areas including light emitting elements which emit redlight, 121 a to 121 c denote areas including light emitting elementswhich emit green light, and 122 a to 122 c denote areas including lightemitting elements which emit blue light.

As set forth above, in the display device according to the invention,current supply lines which are connected to light emitting elementsemitting the same color light (via a driving transistor) areelectrically connected to each other both in the longitudinal and thelateral directions.

Therefore, the number of current paths through which a current from acurrent input terminal flows is increased, thereby distributing thecurrent load. Further, significant voltage drop can be prevented fromoccurring locally.

Embodiment 2

A display device using the invention is described with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9A to 9F.

As shown in FIG. 8, an active matrix display device comprises anexternal circuit 3004 and a panel 3010. The external circuit 3004includes an A/D converter unit 3001, a power supply unit 3002 and asignal generation unit 3003. A video data signal inputted in an analogmanner is converted to a digital signal in the A/D converter unit 3001,and supplied to a signal line driver circuit 3006. The power supply unit3002 generates power having a desired voltage value from power ofbattery and outlet, and supplies the generated power to the signal linedriver circuit 3006, a scan line driver circuit 3007, a light emittingelement 3011, the signal generation unit 3003 and the like. The signalgeneration unit 3003 converts various inputted signals such as a powersupply, a video signal and a synchronizing signal, as well as generatinga clock signal and the like for driving the signal line driver circuit3006 and the scan line driver-circuit 3007.

Signals and power supplies from the external circuit 3004 are inputtedto an internal circuit and the like via an FPC and an FPC connectingportion 3005 provided in the panel 3010.

A glass substrate 3008 is provided on the panel 3010, and on the glasssubstrate 3008, the FPC connecting portion 3005, the internal circuitand the light emitting element 3011 are formed. The internal circuitincludes the signal line driver circuit 3006, the scan line drivercircuit 3007 and a pixel portion 3009. The pixel configuration describedin Embodiment Mode 1 is adopted as an example in FIG. 8, however, anyone of the pixel configurations described in embodiment modes of theinvention can be applied to the pixel portion 3009.

The pixel portion 3009 is arranged at the center of the substrate 3008,and the signal line driver circuit 3006 and the scan line driver circuit3007 are arranged at the periphery thereof. The light emitting element3011 and a counter electrode of the light emitting element 3011 areformed over the whole surface of the pixel portion 3009.

FIGS. 9A to 9F show examples of electronic apparatuses including thedisplay device shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9A shows a display device which includes a housing 5501, asupporting base 5502, a display portion 5503 and the like. The displaydevice of the invention can be applied to the display portion 5503.

FIG. 9B shows a video camera which includes a main body 5511, a displayportion 5512, an audio input portion 5513, operating switches 5514, abattery 5515, an image receiving portion 5516 and the like.

FIG. 9C shows a notebook personal computer using the invention, whichincludes a main body 5521, a housing 5522, a display portion 5523, akeyboard 5524 and the like.

FIG. 9D shows a portable information terminal (PDA) using the invention,which includes a main body 5531 having a display portion 5533, anexternal interface 5535, operating switches 5534 and the like. Further,a stylus 5532 is provided as an attachment for operation.

FIG. 9E shows a digital camera which includes a main body 5551, adisplay portion A 5552, an eye contacting portion 5553, operatingswitches 5554, a display portion B 5555, a battery 5556 and the like.

FIG. 9F shows a mobile phone using the invention, which includes a mainbody 5561 having a display portion 5564, an audio output portion 5562,operating switches 5565, an antenna 5566 and the like.

According to the display device described above, display variations dueto voltage drop are suppressed, leading to improved image quality.Further, image quality of electronic apparatuses including such adisplay device can also be enhanced.

According to the invention, the current load of wirings for transmittingan electrical signal to each pixel of a display device can bedistributed, thereby preventing significant voltage drop from occurringlocally. Further, display variations due to voltage drop are suppressed.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application serial no.2003-170090 filed in Japan Patent Office on 13, Jun., 2003, the contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofEmbodiment Modes and Embodiments with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless suchchanges and modifications depart from the scope of the present inventionhereinafter defined, they should be constructed as being includedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. (canceled)
 2. A display device comprising: apixel portion; a gate line extending in a first direction at least inthe pixel portion; a wiring including a first portion at least in thepixel portion; an insulating layer over the gate line and the wiring; afirst contact hole and a second contact hole in the insulating layer,wherein the first contact hole and the second contact hole are arrangedin a second direction; a source line over the insulating layer, whereinthe source line intersects with the gate line and the wiring; a currentsupply line including a second portion over the insulating layer,wherein the current supply line intersects with the gate line and thewiring; and a transistor comprising a gate, a source and a drain,wherein the gate of the transistor is electrically connected to the gateline, wherein one of the source and the drain of the transistor iselectrically connected to the source line, wherein the current supplyline is electrically connected to the wiring through the first contacthole and the second contact hole at an intersection of the currentsupply line and the wiring, wherein the first direction and the seconddirection intersect with each other, and wherein a width of the firstportion is different from a width of the second portion.
 3. The displaydevice according to claim 2, wherein one end of the wiring iselectrically connected to a first terminal for inputting current, andwherein the other end of the wiring is electrically connected to asecond terminal for inputting current.
 4. The display device accordingto claim 2, wherein a driving transistor is connected to the currentsupply line in the pixel portion, and wherein a light emitting elementis connected to the driving transistor.
 5. The display device accordingto claim 2, wherein the wiring is electrically connected to a firstlight emitting element which emits red light; wherein a second wiringparallel to the wiring is electrically connected to a second lightemitting element which emits green light; and wherein a third wiringparallel to the wiring is electrically connected to a third lightemitting element which emits blue light.
 6. The display device accordingto claim 2, further comprising a third contact hole in the insulatinglayer, wherein the current supply line is electrically connected to thewiring through the first contact hole, the second contact hole, and thethird contact hole at the intersection of the current supply line andthe wiring, and wherein the first contact hole and the third contacthole are arranged in the first direction.
 7. A display devicecomprising: a pixel portion; a gate line extending in a first directionat least in the pixel portion; a first wiring including a first portionat least in the pixel portion; an insulating layer over the gate lineand the first wiring; a first contact hole and a second contact hole inthe insulating layer, wherein the first contact hole and the secondcontact hole are arranged in a second direction; a source line over theinsulating layer, wherein the source line intersects with the gate lineand the first wiring; a current supply line including a second portionover the insulating layer, wherein the current supply line intersectswith the gate line and the first wiring; a transistor comprising a gate,a source and a drain; and a second wiring disposed outside of the pixelportion, wherein the gate of the transistor is electrically connected tothe gate line, wherein one of the source and the drain of the transistoris electrically connected to the source line, wherein the current supplyline is electrically connected to the first wiring through the firstcontact hole and the second contact hole at an intersection of thecurrent supply line and the first wiring, wherein the first directionand the second direction intersect with each other, wherein a width ofthe first portion is different from a width of the second portion, andwherein one end of the current supply line is connected to the secondwiring.
 8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein one end ofthe first wiring is electrically connected to a first terminal forinputting current, and wherein the other end of the first wiring iselectrically connected to a second terminal for inputting current. 9.The display device according to claim 7, wherein a driving transistor isconnected to the current supply line in the pixel portion, and wherein alight emitting element is connected to the driving transistor.
 10. Thedisplay device according to claim 7, wherein the first wiring iselectrically connected to a first light emitting element which emits redlight; wherein a third wiring parallel to the first wiring iselectrically connected to a second light emitting element which emitsgreen light; and wherein a fourth wiring parallel to the first wiring iselectrically connected to a third light emitting element which emitsblue light.
 11. The display device according to claim 7, furthercomprising a third contact hole in the insulating layer, wherein thecurrent supply line is electrically connected to the wiring through thefirst contact hole, the second contact hole, and the third contact holeat the intersection of the current supply line and the wiring, andwherein the first contact hole and the third contact hole are arrangedin the first direction.
 12. A display device comprising: a pixelportion; a gate line extending in a first direction at least in thepixel portion; a wiring including a first portion at least in the pixelportion; an insulating layer over the gate line and the wiring; a firstcontact hole and a second contact hole in the insulating layer, whereinthe first contact hole and the second contact hole are arranged in asecond direction; a source line over the insulating layer, wherein thesource line intersects with the gate line and the wiring; a currentsupply line including a second portion over the insulating layer,wherein the current supply line intersects with the gate line and thewiring; and a transistor comprising a gate, a source and a drain,wherein the gate of the transistor is electrically connected to the gateline, wherein one of the source and the drain of the transistor iselectrically connected to the source line, wherein the current supplyline is electrically connected to the wiring through the first contacthole and the second contact hole at an intersection of the currentsupply line and the wiring, wherein the first direction and the seconddirection intersect with each other, wherein a width of the firstportion is different from a width of the second portion, and wherein thecurrent supply line and the wiring are formed of the same material. 13.The display device according to claim 12, wherein one end of the wiringis electrically connected to a first terminal for inputting current, andwherein the other end of the wiring is electrically connected to asecond terminal for inputting current.
 14. The display device accordingto claim 12, wherein a driving transistor is connected to the currentsupply line in the pixel portion, and wherein a light emitting elementis connected to the driving transistor.
 15. The display device accordingto claim 12, wherein the wiring is electrically connected to a firstlight emitting element which emits red light; wherein a second wiringparallel to the wiring is electrically connected to a second lightemitting element which emits green light; and wherein a third wiringparallel to the wiring is electrically connected to a third lightemitting element which emits blue light.
 16. The display deviceaccording to claim 12, further comprising a third contact hole in theinsulating layer, wherein the current supply line is electricallyconnected to the wiring through the first contact hole, the secondcontact hole, and the third contact hole at the intersection of thecurrent supply line and the wiring, and wherein the first contact holeand the third contact hole are arranged in the first direction.